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Hello All -- Today is day one. Cold turkey. This is my second time around I smoked for 20 years and quit for 14 now close to 4 years back at it. I know it's possible as I've done it before but hesitant to put myself, my family or my work folks through the anger and irritability. Hoping to get some support here. Any encouragement is appreciated. Thanks JustJoan

Hey Joan! Welcome to Quit Train. This is a great place for support from other quitters who really do "get it" in terms of all the crap you're going through as a quitter. We've all been there - wanting to rip someone a new one over almost nothing and feeling like our head is in a tailspin all day long. The symptoms aren't a pleasure that's for sure but keep in mind, they're only temporary. A solid quit will last a lifetime! Lots of resources here too that may help you find you way easier. Feel free to come here and unload your anger and frustrations. We'll try and help you along.

G’day NOPE .....Not One Puff Ever.... (replace Ever with Min,Hour, Day as required)

NOPE!!!!!

Welcome aboard JustJoan and congrats on quitting! You'll find as much support here as you could need or want so please use us to your advantage. Sorry you lost that great 14 year quit you had but unfortunately it happens. The important thing is that you're ready to quit again. We have a great group of 2021 quitters to walk beside as well as us old phartes to help you along your journey. We also have tons of educational threads as well as a video forum if that's more your thing. And if you want to stick close but get your mind off the quit head over to our social forums. Lots of fun and games to be had. So give a shout out if you need anything, we're glad you're here

Welcome! It sounds like you know the process! Maybe you could work on channeling that "anger and irritability" into something positive. It takes energy to be angry and irritable, energy that could be just as easily used to be nicer to your friends and family. I say that because my wife always says that I am hard to get along with when I'm not smoking. It's hard for me to concentrate on both at the same time, but I try. Good Luck!

Hi! I'm Amy. Never did I think I'd be happy to be labeled a quitter. But here I am! After almost 20 years, I quit cold turkey on January 29, 2021. A small portion of my story and what led me to quit: In December, 2020, I very randomly became afflicted with severe anxiety. Literally, one day I was fine and the next day I was downright incapacitated. My daughter had a bit of a cold and for some reason I was positive it covid and if she had it then it must have been from my job. I tested negative, she was fine and it was just a cold, but for some reason I couldn't shake the anxiety. I forged through for a little over a month, slowly withdrawing from life. The medication I was put on gave me awful side effects (I actually lost almost 10 lbs over Christmas, not complaining but I couldn't even enjoy Christmas cookies!). The second medication had me downright depressed and I cried for most of January . I wasn't myself. I got the first covid vaccine shot on January 12, 2021 and a week later experience what's now known as "covid arm." No one had any idea what that was at that point and it landed me in the emergency room with a HUGE anxiety attack. That ended up starting me on a path to taking a month leave from work. So all of February, 2021, I stayed home to get myself right. Because I wasn't going to be going anywhere, I had my last cigarette at 9pm on January 29th. I decided this was the perfect time to totally focus on whole body wellness. This decision was only further solidified when I read the news that actor Dustin Diamond passed away from lung cancer. I didn't know him at all, but it hit me harder than I expected. Anyway, imagine my complete surprise when I had absolutely NO CRAVINGS OR SIDE EFFECTS?!?!?! I mean I was dealing with anxiety and thinking I was going to die from the vaccine (obviously I did not), but I was expecting some kind of side effects. I haven't even coughed! I actually found this site because I'm clearing my throat like it's going out of style. To an excessive degree really...and it's annoying. BUT. It's been 1 month, 1 day and 13 hours since my last cigarette. I enjoyed smoking for sure, but I'm going to enjoy living even more. Once the world can finally move on from the current stresses, I look forward to watching my daughter grow, go to college, get married, have some babies, etc. I'm taking now to really focus on myself, my faith journey, and my health journey. Fear may have pushed me to my breaking point, but I'm using it to better myself and that starts with being a quitter! Thank you for letting me join this group and introduce myself! Hopefully I didn't ramble too much!

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Awesome I’m so happy for you Amy!! Quality of life will always be better as a non smoker- thank you for sharing your experience

It was definitely a shock to me that he died! I'm only a few years younger than he was so it for sure hit home. Covid arm isn't a "serious" reaction, but no one knew what was going on when I had so it terrified me. Basically, 8 days after my shot the injection site got super itchy, warm to the touch, swollen and red. It went away within a few days but still weird. Left me thinking they'd have to take off my arm! LOL Seems dumb now, but at the time it was super scary. My first day back at work was yesterday. I'm actually doing really well still with having no cravings. The worst is still the anxiety. I've never dealt with anything like this so it's a rough road!

Welcome! You have came to the right place for support on your journey! As was said above, there is a wealth of information here. Click on the forums tab and start reading, watching videos, etc. In your post you said that you quit while you were off from work! That's Great! I think that when you go back to work you will find that staying quit is even easier. Being busy has always helped me keep my mind off smoking! Good Luck!

Welcome aboard Amy and congratulations on taking back your life! You're already past the hardest month of all and sound like you're doing great I hope you have a look around at all our various forums. We have everything from educating yourself about our addiction to socializing to keep your mind off quitting. We have a great group of quitters here so you're in good company for this journey. P.S. I had no idea Dustin Diamond died or about Covid arm so you've taught me two things already on your first day here

Welcome to Quit Train Amy! Sounds like you have your quit well in hand, considering you've only been quit for just over a month By the way, we share the same date Jan. 29th You've obviously still got a way to go still in getting completely used to life as a nonsmoker but you're right ..... you're gonna love all the things you will do as a nonsmoker. Nothing like finding your freedom again to really show us just how enslaved we were as smokers. Great work so far and happy 1st month!

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Welcome to the Quit Train Joan. You already know the drill: don't put anything in your mouth and light it on fire. Welcome back to the freedom of being a non-smoker.

Hi and welcome ... Sorry you smoked after 14 years ...but glad to hear your ready to quit for good .... We have lots of good information here ,and great videos by Joel ,to get you started ... Plus our daily NOPE thread..... Glad your here ..

Hello and welcome Aboard Amy .... Congratulations on your wonderful quit....here's a well earned pat on the back !! You sound in a good place .... everything is positive about quitting ... Looking forward to getting to know you better ...

Welcome Amy, you are definitely headed down the right path. Grab a seat, enjoy the ride and congratulations on your quit.

Welcome to the forum! The oddest thing I remember happening to me was one day during my first week of not smoking. I felt like I was short of breath and having chest pains. The only thing that could possibly save me was a cigarette! Now that's junkie thinking! I know my mind will try anything to get what it wants, nicotine. But that was so ridiculous, I easily threw the thought aside. I wasn't even short of breath or having chest pains.

Thank you so much everyone!! I AM indeed still smoke free today. It feels SO good to breathe. I'm sorry I don't get in here as much lately but I do try to check in at least every other week. Still could not have done this without all of you and your proof it can be done. Deb

Welcome JustJoan! Like you I had quit for many years, and for some dumb reason took that one puff. You remember how good it felt to be a non smoker- freedom is at your fingertips You're taking the right steps- support is here when needed

Welcome Joan. Sorry to hear about your relapse but you are doing a great thing by quitting again. Remember, smoking does nothing positive for you. Everything that comes with smoking is negative and deadly. Quitting is gaining freedom. You can do this!

Hi Amy and Welcome!! and Congratulations on your awesome quit!!

I had to be honest with myself and realize that I was a nicotine addict and I couldn't have any more of it. The phrase I used was, "Smoking is not an option". A lot of smokers deep down fear that they will be successful at quitting and they fear that will never smoke again. That's what frightens you? It's hard to change but it's doable and so worth it.

@Steven Drojensky I'm glad that you are back on track! Hang in here with us. We are all going through the same thing. There are a lot of people here who have also been through what we are going through. I quit posting here for awhile because I felt like they had forgot what it was really like in those first days, weeks, months. I was and still am somewhat jealous of the people here that have what I want. A good solid quit! I got a lot of advice I didn't want to hear. But after awhile I figured out that the problem was not with them, it was with me. It was what I needed to hear whether I liked it or not. I'd like to qualify what I just said. I believe everyone's quit is a little different because we are all different, come from different backgrounds, and have had different experiences. So we have to choose what we take and what we leave when it comes to advice from others. Good Luck!

Yes, addiction is an amazing entity when it comes to trying to end your relationship with it. It's like your brain is divided in two. Logical side and junkie side and there's a very real battle being waged for quit a while. The key is to make sure you delay any actions you take until the logical side has a chance to weigh in. Small peppermint candies were my constant companion for the whole first year I was quitting and I don't think I had ever had one before then lol. Haven't had one since either. Guess it was just my go to for keeping my mouth occupied.

Yeah I have realised what a sneaky sneaky thing nicotine is - and my brain is at least half on its side! Real "angel and devil" in Tom and Jerry scenario. "Your heart is pounding really fast, if you had a cigarette you would feel normal again" Noooo that's not really correct, is it brain? Embarrassing what a liar it is when it wants drugs

Health Freedom Wealth All good reasons to stay the course. Congrats on the first two weeks CL. Nicely done.

Here is a list of some of the downright silly things I have done over the last two weeks during withdrawal. 1) Put my phone in the fridge. No less than three times. 2) Cried for an hour because my favourite takeaway was closed while my horrified husband tried to console me. 3) Called my sister, but kept mixing my words up so she refused to talk to me anymore because in her words "You have gone mad" 4) Had a lollipop permanently stuck in my mouth for the first five days. I don't even like lollipops. 5) Lay awake until 3am thinking of a way to relocate us all to Greenland because I watched the disaster film of that name, then Googled Greenland itself and read that they have the purest air. I could go on. What silly or bizarre things have you guys done during withdrawals? My concentration is improving now - thankfully. Although, it has been pretty hilarious.

NOPE!!

As I type a colleague is talking at me. She's been talking at me for around half an hour. I haven't had a clue what she's been saying. Something about assessments. It's probably fine. Brain fog indeed!

Welcome Amy. We are glad you are here.

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Thank you for the observation, Jeff. I believe that has been my problem as well. I can stop for periods of time, but never make the final quit decision. This time around is the time for the forever quit. It has messed up my esophagus so bad that even chewing nicotine gum burns when I chew it so cold turkey is the best method for me. I will check in more. I had a near miss today wanting to go buy cigarettes again, but stopped myself. It was a real stupid reason to smoke and I would've had to start over AGAIN and it just wouldn't have been worth it. It will be rough, but I can get through it even if I have to cry or get briefly angry. I have been dealing with loss of appetite so tomorrow I will pick up some Ensure drinks just so I'm getting some kind of calories and nutrition in my body. This will be a rough road somedays but I think with everyone's support I can make this my forever quit.

Welcome CarpeLibrum, you sure have found the right place for friendship and support in quitting. Hang around, get to know us all and keep that wonderful quit going.

Welcome @CarpeLibrum!!!

Welcome aboard for this journey CarpeLibrum. As you have been told above this is the right place to come to, it looks like you have a good start at this point. Many have already given good tips here, I would add to just come here often -- if you need help, advice, questions answered, or just to have a good time, it all can be found here. Lots of good people here to be here for you. It can be tough at times but it is so worth it. Again welcome and keep strong!!!!

Yeah I genuinely thought he would die the other night. Although I did lift the quilt up and put it over his head after I let loose. Hopelessly romantic, me.

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Welcome aboard Amy. Congratulations on one-month off of the smokes. Every journey starts somewhere. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how many benefits the process of quitting offers.

Congratulations! I hope your quit is going well!

I had a punching pillow !!! I decided to draw a face on it ...I won't say who... And I took much pleasure ..in sending it flying through the air.... Great way to help with anger moments ....I always ended up laughin... I loved that pillow